Pool "Hopping Mad" UPDATED

[LIDisneyFan]

Just back from my first DVC stay (I own at BWV, but stayed at OKW this trip due to availability). I really liked OKW (more on that in a later post),

Pool hopped yesterday to the BW - there were no restrictions when we arrived. After 3 hours, the recreation manager came over to us (only us) and asked for our resort card. We gladly showed them our card, and our DVC card - we were then asked to leave the pool becuase of the 'crowds'

A few issues:

1) the pool was not crowded - certanily no more than other cash BW visits we have made in the past
2) we were 'spotted' because of our DVC bag - Do not carry your bag when pool hopping - it is apparently detrimental to your visit
3) There were several people at the pool who were Fla. guests of people staying there - I OWN at BW and was asked to leave
4) After spending time at the pool, you should NEVER be asked to leave. I had to take my kids and explain that we had to leave - and by that time it was too late to really do anything else that day
5) I OWN at BWV - I can understand how hopping can be restricted, but NEVER did I think it applied to DVC pools - I pay those higher dues for that pool
6) Finally (here we go again), my guides specifically told me that the ONLY pool which is EVER closed is Stormalong Bay during Easter. We knew that (as the Vacation Magic also stated) and never attempted to go. Pool hopping IS important to us (we use our DVC for the poos and resort, much more so than the theme parks). When we asked about the provisoon about restricted hopping, we were assured that this was specifically to exclude future properties (i.e. AKL) from the program. We were REALLY clear about our questions, and the guides were REALLY clear about their answers.

We spoke to a Sales Manager who has promised me a call back - we'll see (and I'll post) what they say.

I am incensed.

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Going to the World Tomorrow!!!!!</marquee></font></font>

[This message was edited by LIDisneyFan on 04-13-01 at 09:08 AM.]

 

[PamOKW]

I agree. This leaves a real bad taste in my mouth, too. We all know that people are sneaking into WDW pools all the time. And, as you said, guests bring "guests" to use the pool as well. To ask a DVC member to leave, especially after you are already at the pool, is wrong. To ask a BW owner to leave....I think I might have lost it.

At first, I thought you meant SAB but when I re-read and saw you were at BW, I think that is a problem. If it was SAB, I was going to say that once you are in it should be okay to stay.

It will be interesting to see what kind of reply you get.

Looking forward to hearing your impressions of OKW.

 

[KMarie]

LIDisneyfan, did you tell the person who asked you to leave the pool that you were a BW owner? If so, what was the response?

I'm curious because I'm a BW owner, too.

 

[spiceycat]

I am so sorry this happened to you. I would definitely write the manager of the resort as well as the sales manager and your quide.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Yes, I did. His reponse was that 'people staying at the BW are using more of their points to stay there, so we would have to leave.' It made no difference to him at all!!!

He did kindly offer to let us stay another half hour - Ha!

By the way, this was an EXTREMELY embarrassing situation - imagine being asked to leave in front of all those people.

I was about to add on a few hundres points, but I am REALLY rethinking now - not becasue of the 'loss' of pool hopping, but of how I (as an EMPLOYER of this person) was treated.

Also, the Sales Manager tried telling us that there is no pool hopping during Easter or Christmas week, and hasn't been for years - we made him drag out a copy of Vacation Magic to show him exactly what we (the members) were told!!!

 

[Cindy72]

I also own at the BWV and find this very disturbing. I feel as though you were treated terribly. I'm very interested to hear what their reply will be.

 

[CarolMN]

LIDisneyFan - Sorry to hear what happened to you and your family. IMHO, you have every right to be upset. Hope you get a BIG apology from BWV management!

 

[Joeblack]

That is outrageous!!!!! I would not have left and would have made a big mess right then and there.

Did you ask to speak to a DVC manager? (Not just that "recreation" little bureaucrat?)You should write an email or a letter (Please leave it in writing)to Member Services and demand an explanation or an apology.

Please keep us posted.

 

[KMarie]

I agree with spiceycat -- write some letters to the manager of the resort, your guide and sales manager and tell them what happened. Enclose a copy of your written evidence, (the VM) too.

 

[Allan]

LIDisneyFan-that's disturbing, to say the least!!! Being singled out and embarrassed in front of a bunch of people is ridiculous.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Actually, the Sales Manager was the DVC manager that we were able to speak to -

I ended up wasting over an hour of my time with him as he tried to 'rectify' the problem. He finally came back with a 'dummy' resort ID card and told us we could return to the pool - but by this time it was almost 4 PM, we were annoyed (is that an understatement or what), tired, our kids were cold (we spent this hour in the DVC offices at the BW, which were air conditioned and we were all still wet).

What I have demanded (and am waiting for) is some type of assurance that this will NEVER happen to me (or any other DVC member) again. I told them that my contract was being signed while the questions about pool hopping were being asked, and that the explanation of the terms in front of the witness (the notary) constitutes part of the agreement.

I am planning, as a DVC member and Disney shareholder, to write to the appropriate people once ( or should I say if) I received my call back.


Believe me, I'm not letting this one die.

Oh, and by the way, I mentioned the DIS to the Sales manager, and told him very clearly I would be posting this. They are VERY much aware of our existance!!! Just thought you would all be interested in that piece of info.

[This message was edited by LIDisneyFan on 04-12-01 at 11:09 AM.]

 

[Donald]

First, I love the title of your post. VERY clever.

Second, I agree with everyone here. WRITE WRITE WRITE to everyone you can think of and tell them exactly what you posted here. You suffered a terrible injustice and you deserve to be heard and compensated. I have always had a good response when I wrote a letter of complaint. Good luck and keep us posted.

"...yes, the pixie dust is strong" - RumpleMom

 

[dtheboys]

I understand your situation!!! Keep the fight up for all of us DVC members!!!
You go Girl!!!!

 

[baileybrad]

Just curious, did you have the OKW front desk check to see if pool hopping was not being allowed anywhere besides SB on the day of your visit? I would have asked the rm what exactly was the determining factor in what a "crowd" was on this particular day. Is it done on an hourly basis? Whether someone is using more points to stay at BW than you are at OKW has nothing to do with pool hopping. It is a non issue. I would have asked him/her to check everybody IDs and with the non-WDW guests that he/her would have discovered (friends of BW guests aren't legitimate guests, pool hopping DVC resort guests are) then I am sure the pool would have not been crowded anymore. Sounds to me that someone let a little bit of power go to their head. I would complain for months on this one. And I might have had my spouse and kids leave the pool area, but I would have stayed until I was good and ready to leave. And will please no one tell me how the cm was only doing their job. I believe that LIDISNEYFAN was treated very poorly in being singled out in this fashion. And please whats with the "you can stay for 30 more minutes crap". As far as I am concerned this cm's "15 minutes" should be up. And on your first member visit too, this really bites.

[This message was edited by baileybrad on 04-12-01 at 11:50 AM.]

[This message was edited by baileybrad on 04-12-01 at 11:52 AM.]

 

[Joeblack]

It wouldn't be a bad idea to mail them a copy of this thread so that they know how we feel as DVCers.

 

[Steve BW99]

IMHO, this is a good thing. I feel the enforcement of the rules will only enhance the experience and preserve the intended atmosphere. This will benefit everyone, and should be applauded. Guest staying at each resort should have priority over those staying elsewhere, regardless of the location of ownership. The pools are designed to handle crowds forecasted from population of the resort itself, not DVC. When there is space available to allow pool hopping without interfering with the intended experience it should be allowed. But if the crowds grow to large, I feel the pool should be limited to resort guests.

I do understand the feeling of mistreatment. The CM also should have asked for an ID upon arrival or at least warned you of the possibility of closing the pool to non-BWV guests. Also, all the guests should be asked for ID, not a chosen few.

During my purchase, my guide explained the benefits of pool hopping, but also explained this was not a guaranteed right. He stated SAB closes at Easter and Christmas to pool hopping but all pools are subjected to closure also.

Hopefully this experience will not sour your feeling about the vast majority of DVC cast members. I have found 99% to be wonderful.

 

[Credit Man]

The way you were treated is inexcusable. The answer you were given totally unacceptable. And the whole issue is very disturbing.

 

[baileybrad]

just what is your definition of a "crowd"? In case you missed it in the original post this DVC member was singled out while "friends" of other resort guests were not asked to leave. And you find this selective enforcement to be good news. Sorry but I disagree.

 

[pentex]

What happened is just wrong. They should be proactive about crowd control and once it hits a certain limit, start checking resort IDs. Once someone is allowed in, they should NOT be asked to leave. That is humiliating. I can't even imagine the embarrassment this scene caused, and the stress it caused afterwards during a vacation.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Steve BW99-

Sorry you feel this was a good thing - hope it happens to you next time. First, I'm glad you had a more honest salesperson - mine obviously directly lied when we asked a direct question - we are taking that up with sales management (and eventually the Florida Real Estate Comission is I'm not satsfied).

The pool was not overcrowded -far from it. Other ID's (including the poeple who jumped in our chairs) were not checked. If you want to control capacity, check on the way in - once I'm in, you can't kick me out


Let me put this another way. The Theme Parks can close due to capacity, even if you have a valid ticket. Resort guests are always guaranteed entrance, even if the park is closed for capacity. They don't start going through the park randomly asking non-resort guests to leave!!!

By the way, this is the text of the DVC Member website regarding pool hopping - I don't see anything about any other pools except Yacht and Beach - do you??:

Due to the high occupancy that is expected in early April, DVC Members will not be permitted to use the pool at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort on certain dates. The dates that have been identified so far are April 1-15, 2001, but additional dates may be included. Please check with the resort front desk regarding pool availability prior to going over to the resort.